Schaeffer Cox is seen in a video released by a gun rights organization. (YouTube)

(Newser)
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A young militia leader from Alaska and two of his followers are facing long prison terms after being found guilty of numerous charges. Schaeffer Cox, the 28-year-old leader of the Alaska Peacemaker Militia, was found guilty of amassing illegal weapons and conspiring to murder federal law enforcement officers, reports the Anchorage Daily News. Cox, a leading figure in the "sovereign citizen" movement, came to the FBI's attention in 2009 after speeches in Montana in which he claimed that his group had 3,500 armed men in Fairbanks who were willing to kill to protect liberty.

An FBI informant infiltrated Cox's group—which in reality only had around a dozen members—and he was arrested along with three others after trying to buy hand grenades and silenced pistols from an undercover agent. In conversations recorded by the informant, Cox, who argues that the federal government has no authority over him, outlined a plan to kill two federal agents for every dead militia member. Cox's lawyers argued that he was being prosecuted for his ideas and the militia leader himself told the court that the group felt it needed to prepare itself for the imminent collapse of the federal government. "The prosecutors withheld evidence from you guys," he shouted to the jury as the guilty verdicts were read out.

I'd like to see the government's evidence of his "plot". It's easy to claim someone is a weirdo, dangerous and in need of policing. In fact, it's easy to convict people of plotting evil if the government tries hard enough. They found his group had 12 members and was trying to buy grenades and silenced pistols. OK, that's a crime. Outlining a plan in itself doesn't sound like much of a crime. Rest easier knowing this guy was convicted. I'm much more afraid of the organization that arrested him.

GenericLeftist

Jun 19, 2012 4:13 AM CDT

LOL another FBI terrorist plot. Seriously when someone is trying to sell you grenades, they are probably not your friend.